Vol. 504 No. 1
7 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to render secure and refurbish Clonegan Church, Portlaw, County Waterford, in view of its current deteriorating state and historical significance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11157/99]
Clonegan Church, Portlaw, County Waterford, is a monument which is included in the record of monuments and places established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994. As the monument is in private ownership I have no proposals to refurbish it but Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, will provide advice to any person proposing to carry out work on the church.
The Deputy will be aware that the Heritage Council is a statutory autonomous body established under the Heritage Act, 1995. Under the Act, the council has powers to provide advice and assistance, including financial assistance, in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the built heritage. I wish to point out, however, that while I provide operational funding to the Heritage Council under my Department's Vote, I have no function in relation to the council's decisions on the disbursement of funds.
The Deputy will also be aware that last year I and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government announced a package of measures for the protection of the architectural heritage. Among these measures is the establishment of a new grant aid scheme for approved conservation works to listed buildings which will commence very soon. The new grants scheme will be administered by the local authorities. It will have funding of £4 million per annum and will be operated in accordance with national criteria and standards drawn up by an advisory group made up of the two Departments and the Heritage Council.
Does the Minister agree that Clonegan Church is very important from an architectural and historical perspective? Indeed, much of the history of the current family of the Marquis of Waterford is connected with the church. Is the Minister or any agency under her Department willing to enter into discussions with the Church of Ireland authorities concerning the church? I believe the Church of Ireland would be willing to put into State ownership Clonegan Church and some other churches in the south-east region on the basis that they would be preserved. They are a very important part of our heritage. The Minister will be aware that a window was blown out in Clonegan Church. Efforts are being made to find a contractor to repair it. If the church is not attended to within a reasonable time span, a vital part of the heritage of County Waterford will be lost.
I recognise that Clonegan Church is of great historical interest. However, I must point out that it is not in State ownership. I already have responsibility for maintaining and managing 750 of the most prestigious national monuments and historical properties in the State. The Deputy is aware that a different issue is raised by Clonegan Church and other properties in private ownership. I advise those interested in Clonegan Church, including the Deputy, to contact the Heritage Council, a statutory autonomous body established to examine such buildings. In terms of advice, including technical advice, the Deputy is also welcome to contact Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, and we will see what we can do in that regard.
Another possibility arises in the context of the architectural legislation which will be passing through the House either next week or the following week. Once implemented, projects such as this may well be in receipt of money, depending on acceptance of the application. I will not be dealing with these applications as the grant system we are putting in place will be run by local authorities. However, I advise the Deputy to look at the issue in the context of this forthcoming legislation as a good alternative.
Will the Minister facilitate a very early meeting between the Church of Ireland authorities and Dúchas?
There is no problem in that regard; I would be delighted to do so.
